Premier League betting tips: Matchweek 1 predictions

The Premier League is back with bookmakers believing it will be just like last season. Liverpool are favourites to retain their title while the three promoted sides are expected to be relegated.

But surprise results on the opening weekend might start shifting a few opinions. We’ve already had an early look to find value in the market, but who has the edge on the eve of the new season?

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Fast forward to the eve of the campaign, what’s changed? Any market movers? Plus, our FIRST top tips for matchweek one. 

Liverpool vs Bournemouth betting tips

Liverpool should be fun to watch. They beat Athletic Club 3-2 in their last friendly before but losing to Crystal Palace on penalties in the Community Shield last weekend after a 2-2 draw in normal time. 

READ: Liverpool vs Bournemouth full betting tips and predictions 

The Reds have a strong record against Bournemouth at Anfield, scoring 26 times in the eight Premier League meetings. With Liverpool joint-top of the division for wins in which both teams scored last season, this should be an entertaining opener to 2025/26.

Scoreline prediction

Liverpool 3-1 Bournemouth (8/1 with Mr.Play)

FIRST’s top tip:

Liverpool win and both teams to score (4/3 with 7bet)

Aston Villa vs Newcastle betting tips

Aston Villa beat Newcastle 4-1 at home in April to maintain their strong record at Villa Park against the Magpies. 

Eddie Howe’s side have endured a miserable summer, with a failure to land targets, which is compounded by Alexander Isak’s desire to leave. 

They’ve lost four and drawn two of their last six friendlies so can’t be in a confident mood either. Newcastle’s woes should continue in the Saturday lunch time kick off. 

Scoreline prediction

Aston Villa 2-0 Newcastle (31/2 with Matchbook)

FIRST’s top tip:

Aston Villa to win (21/20 with Kwiff)

Brighton vs Fulham betting tips

These clubs were joint-top in the 2024/25 Premier League for matches in which both teams scored and there were at least three goals. Fulham won 3-1 at Craven Cottage before Brighton replied with a 2-1 home win.

Whether pre-season form matters is questionable, but these clubs both saw our selection pay out in two of their last three friendlies. Their goal-heavy form looks like continuing.

Scoreline prediction

Brighton 2-1 Fulham (6/1 with Highbet)

FIRST’s top tip:

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals (Evens with Coral)

Sunderland vs West Ham betting tips

Last season’s league table suggests Sunderland will have few easier home games this term. The atmosphere will be electric too. 

After the disappointing campaign West Ham suffered, you can’t be confident they’ll win either. But it’s a big leap to expect the Championship play-off winner to beat an established Premier League club.

Goals look safer. Last season there were at least four in three of the Hammers’ away matches against the bottom four, which is surely where Sunderland will end up. 

Scoreline prediction

Sunderland 1-2 West Ham (8/1 with Betway)

FIRST’s top tip:

Over 2.5 goals (17/20 with Bet442)

Tottenham vs Burnley betting tips

A match that also features in our Top of the Props betting tips this weekend, The most damning fact from Tottenham’s 2024/25 league campaign was that they didn’t top a mini-league of the bottom four teams. 

Burnley are favourites for the drop so this will indicate whether Thomas Frank can turn that dreadful record around. 

Spurs may be tired, mentally and physically, from the Super Cup, but as they were 2-0 up on PSG after 84 minutes it’s hard to see the Clarets offering much resistance.

Scoreline prediction

Tottenham 3-0 Burnley (8/1 with Betfred)

FIRST’s top tip:

Tottenham win and over 2.5 goals (19/20 with Ladbrokes)

Wolves vs Manchester City betting tips

As much as Wolves improved under Vitor Pereira, they still finished 16th and have since lost Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait Nouri.

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The latter joined Manchester City, so will likely collect his first league win with them at Molineux. Ait Nouri is unlikely to score though, with Erling Haaland inevitably the goal markets favourite.

He only finished one shy of being the Club World Cup’s joint-top scorer despite City’s disappointing campaign. Haaland once scored four against Wolves and can get one here. 

Scoreline prediction

Wolves 0-2 Manchester City (13/2 with Mr.Luck)

FIRST’s top tip:

Erling Haaland to score any time (4/5 with Betfred)

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace betting tips

The Club World Cup and Conference League champions host the FA Cup and Community Shield winners. There’s trophies aplenty at Stamford Bridge this weekend. 

Will the Blues’ summer exertions lead to a slow start? What is certain is Chelsea rattled in lots of goals in the USA, netting twice in five of their seven matches.

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With Crystal Palace amassing four big chances against Liverpool at Wembley stadium last weekend there should be loads of goalmouth action.

Scoreline prediction

Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace (13/2 with Bet442)

FIRST’s top tip:

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals (21/20 with Coral)

Nottingham Forest vs Brentford betting tips

Nottingham Forest ended 2024/25 in abysmal form. Only five clubs took fewer points from their final five games, with one of those matches a 2-0 home defeat by Brentford.

The Bees have lost their manager and star player Bryan Mbeumo since then though. With Yoane Wissa also looking to leave, Brentford are unlikely to score as often this term. 

As Nuno Espirito Santo lives for low-scoring games, with xG playing a big part for bettors, it might not be the best watch for the neutral. 

Scoreline prediction

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Brentford (5/1 with 7bet)

FIRST’s top tip:

Under 2.5 goals (17/20 with Mr.Luck)

Manchester United vs Arsenal betting tips

The most fascinating game of the weekend. Has Ruben Amorim fixed any of Manchester United’s problems? Will Viktor Gyokeres unlock Arsenal’s, at-times, stodgy attack?

The answer to the former will influence the latter here. This head-to-head has delivered very poor fare in recent times.

The last four meetings saw just seven goals, without more than two in any of them. Arsenal’s last seven league wins at Old Trafford were all 1-0 so don’t expect much. 

Scoreline prediction

Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal (11/2 with Mr.Play)

FIRST’s top tip:

Under 2.5 goals (13/12 with Matchbook)

Leeds vs Everton betting tips

These sides couldn’t muster a pre-season victory between them this summer. What’s going to happen?

Considering Everton won three of their final four away games last season, it’s a little surprising Leeds are favourites. But then they were very strong at Elland Road in 2024/25.

Let’s sit on the fence. The previous two meetings at Leeds were draws with only one of the last six anywhere settled by more than one goal. Should be close. 

Scoreline prediction

Leeds 1-1 Everton (11/2 with Ladbrokes)

FIRST’s top tip:

Draw (9/4 with Highbet)

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Odds correct at the time of writing.